Monday, 21 April 2014

Veurne to Fintele

While in Veurne we needed to get our Belgium waterways permits. This once again involved some paperwork and some cash.

This is what the permit looks like:-

3.And for the ultra observant of you how much was it?

For some reason this 160 euro permit costs 125 euro. I’m going to write this in bold FOR A WHOLE YEAR. This includes all the water of course and traveling lock keepers that open the bridges and locks when you call them up on the VHF.

Also we found out today most locks have water which is free and the lock keeper will take your rubbish and dispose of it for you. All this for 10.50 euros a month!

Also you get a pass card with more details on it which some lock keepers make a record of.

On the way out of Veurne I took some photos that I’d missed.

The lifting rail bridge

Veurne Harbour

Veurne waterfrount

I has occured to me that none of these locations make much sense without a map.

Ring route

We are doing an anti-clockwise ring route from / to Nieuwpoort. We are currently on the mooring at the bottom centre of the map. Fintele

Our plan was to cruise non stop to Fintele but another of the lock keepers uses is local knowledge. He knew the moorings here were occupied by 10 cruisers on a rally and because the locks close here at 6pm on a bank holiday they had pre-planned with him their move off at 3pm. Armed with this info we pulled in at Lo on the

Canal

for about an our and a bit. Just enough time for the dogs to have a stroll.

I’m already beginning to tire of the lift and swing bridges. Initially they were fascinating but now so far they have all seemed the same or at least very similar. Minded of this I am going to post some more from todays trip but no more unless they are of particular interest to the trip or of a different type.

The lock at Fintele is interesting though. It has the angled sides and at one end it has a lift bridge. This one keeps the lockie busy.

I almost forgot. I have treated the boat and Deb to new mooring ropes.

The towns are very small along the route. Usually just a church but not much else. I will post some pics of the crew in due course. Deb is doing a blog the girly way and will show another perspective. Look for http://debwade.wordpress.com/. As for navigation signs have a look online for CEVNI stuff and here are some printable flash cards I put up https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_ig0wcd3S8RYkk3NVU5ZGhZcWc/edit

No problem at all Lesley. I speak English and they reply in English. Much like being in Holland really. Because its such a small country they need a wider accepted language. This is how it was explained to me in Holland. Otherwise they would end up very insular.

So this permit then. Is it extra to some sort of European licence? Or do you just get permits for a year which ever country you are in? You might be interested in Puzzler who has been out in Ireland for a few years and has just been put in in Holland for future reference.

http://nbthepuzzler.blogspot.com/

You look extremely laid back Kevin, but it is only what I would expect from you. I have a feeling you are really, really enjoying yourself! xx